Shelf + desk + chair = office is a minimalist design created by Japan-based designer Nendo. While our demands on office space become only more and more diverse, office furniture has not changed along with these demands and remains oddly standardized. In contrast, Nendo’s installation tried to capture the spirit of Kokuyo Furniture by returning to the fundamental principles of the office and asking what, ultimately, an office is. For Orgatec 2014, the designers didn’t want Kokuyo’s exhibition to consist of nothing more than product explanations. They broke the office down into its smallest components – desks, chairs and shelving – then put it back together again, creating new relationships between the component items to explore the possibilities of future office space. Instead of opting for the usual smooth, glossy office furniture finish, they used a varied matte finish and carried the muted black through the entire color scheme.